Tragedy struck Port of Spain on Friday night when a deadly fire broke out in an apartment building, claiming the lives of two family members. Sandra Ramlogan, 60, and her niece, Aaliyah Shimelia Joseph, 24, perished in the blaze that ignited around 9:30 pm at the Coehlo Building, located on Prince Street between Charlotte and Nelson Streets.
In a desperate bid to escape the flames, several tenants jumped from the building, resulting in multiple instances of broken limbs. The danger faced by the residents was clear, and the need for immediate action was paramount.
However, residents have disputed initial reports regarding the official rescue effort. They claim that it was fellow tenants, not the authorities, who took the lead in the evacuation. One woman, in particular, recounted how her husband, Sean Jobity, along with two other men, secured a ladder and climbed the structure. Their heroic effort reportedly lead to the successful rescue of several people, including a baby.
According to the same residents, the entire rescue operation, from the onset of the fire to the final evacuation, took more than 30 minutes. This event underscores the importance of effective emergency response and the bravery of ordinary citizens in extraordinary circumstances.
